2020/07/31 by Samuel Mañas-Valero, Benjamin Huddart, Tom Lancaster +2
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.str-el #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.mtrl-sci
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41535-021-00367-w
published as npj Quantum Materials 6, 69 (2021) · Main Text + Supplementary Information
arxiv created 2021/02/11 · arxiv updated 2021/08/03
Quantum materials exhibiting magnetic frustration are connected to diverse phenomena including high-Tc superconductivity, topological order and quantum spin liquids (QSLs). A QSL is a quantum phase (QP) related to a quantum-entangled fluid-like state of matter. Previous experiments on QSL candidate materials are usually interpreted in terms of a single QP, although theories indicate that many distinct QPs are closely competing in typical frustrated spin models. Here we report on combined temperature-dependent muon spin relaxation and specific heat measurements for the triangular-lattice QSL candidate material 1T-TaS2 that provide evidence for competing QPs. The measured properties are assigned to arrays of individual QSL layers within the layered charge density wave structure of 1T-TaS2 and their characteristic parameters can be interpreted as those of distinct Z2 QSL phases. The present results reveal that a QSL description can extend beyond the lowest temperatures, offering a new perspective in the search for novel quantum materials.